Learning Uncut

Lane Hannah, Learning and Capability Manager at One New Zealand, Angela Forde, Learning Experience Design Lead, and Dan Hibberd, Co-founder of Makeshapes, discuss a revolutionary approach to learning. They highlight how peer-to-peer collaboration is reshaping training amid a brand transformation. The trio emphasizes the power of social learning and innovative strategies for employee empowerment and adaptability in the face of AI integration. They offer practical insights for fostering a modern learning ecosystem tailored to diverse organizational needs.

Amy Vig, head of the internal learning team at KPMG Australia, shares insights on preparing a workforce for an AI-centric future. She discusses the innovative AI Learning Academy aimed at cultivating essential AI skills through a collaborative curriculum. The conversation highlights the importance of psychological safety and continuous learning. Vig delves into user-friendly design, community involvement, and iterative development, emphasizing adaptive strategies and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective learning outcomes.

Michelle Parry-Slater, a learning and development expert and author of The Learning and Development Handbook, shares insight into maximizing L&D budgets amidst constraints. She emphasizes aligning spending with business needs and highlights innovative strategies like leveraging inter-departmental resources and internal podcasts. The discussion covers effective content curation, the impact of MOOCs, and the rising role of podcasts in fostering employee engagement. Practical tips and collaborative approaches make this conversation a treasure trove for L&D professionals.

Keith Heggart, a senior lecturer and director at the University of Technology Sydney, dives into the creation of the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design. He shares insights from consulting with industry experts and crafting learner personas, aiming to modernize educational frameworks. Key discussions include the rising demand for learning design skills, the importance of effective communication, and the need to bridge the gap between corporate and academic approaches. Heggart also highlights the challenges and successes of feedback practices in online learning environments.

Catherine Lombardozzi, a researcher and consultant in leadership development, discusses her groundbreaking research with the Learning Guild. She reveals how leadership strategies are evolving in the post-pandemic world. Key insights include the rise of experiential learning, the need for blended approaches, and a focus on relational learning to strengthen networks. The conversation also touches on the potential roles of coaching and AI in leadership development, advocating for tailored programs that meet specific organizational needs.

Australia has a critical structural engineering skills shortage, yet many qualified graduates and migrant engineers struggle to find jobs. In this episode, Michelle Ockers talks to Moly Ashtari and Alex Jovanovski, co-founders of Learnpedia. Moly shares her personal challenges as a migrant engineer seeking local experience. Alex highlights difficulties small businesses face hiring skilled engineers. They discuss creating Learnpedia to provide project-based traineeships combining real-world projects, on-site training, and mentorship. Discover how their practical learning approach equips engineers with essential workplace experience and why industry collaboration is vital for solving Australia's engineering skills shortage. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/166/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Australia’s tech sector faces a critical skills gap. Women – who make up just 30% of the tech workforce – represent the largest untapped talent pool to close this gap. Michelle Ockers speaks with Kade Brown from RMIT Online and Rhiannon Yetsenga from Deloitte Access Economics about their latest research report into skills and talent diversity in Australia’s tech workforce. They explore the key findings of the report, including the scale of the skills gap, why women are the biggest untapped opportunity to close this gap, and the business case for investing in re-skilling. The conversation also highlights practical actions organisations can take to attract, retain, and develop more women in tech roles. Hosted by Michelle Ockers  Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-42/  Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Join Terra Wallace, Head of Education at U.S. Bank, and Mark Saddic, leader of Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness at CCI Consulting, as they redefine leadership development. They discuss the shift from one-size-fits-all programs to personalized experiences that foster individual growth. The conversation highlights the importance of open communication, managerial support, and how effective coaching can drive engagement. They also explore measuring success through tailored feedback and the need for a human-centered approach in developing inclusive talent initiatives.

The 2025 Global Sentiment Report has been released, capturing the pulse of L&D professionals worldwide. In this episode, Michelle Ockers speaks with Donald H Taylor about the key findings and what they reveal about what L&D is paying attention to in 2025. AI continues to dominate conversations, but there’s also continued interest in skills and data, with the creating value on the rise again. Don shares insights on why these trends matter, how they vary across different regions, and what L&D professionals can take away from the results. Hosted by Michelle Ockers   Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-41/   Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Ryan Byrne, Senior Manager of Capability and Learning at Sydney Trains joins host Michelle Ockers to discusses the "First Impressions Count" performance campaign. This campaign focused on enhancing customer service through station cleanliness, uniform standards and empowering and engaging staff. Ryan shares insights on using employee feedback to identify barriers and build respectful, actionable solutions. He also highlights how Sydney Trains engaged staff via competitions, incentives, and real-time customer feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the frontline. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/164/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/